HOLIDAYMAKERS are set to enjoy cheaper flights from Scotland after a cross-party alliance emerged in favour of cutting airport passenger duty.
The Scottish Conservatives yesterday aligned themselves with the Scottish Government plan to slash APD using new powers coming to Holyrood.
Under the Tories' scheme, the £75 APD charge for for economy class passengers on long-haul flights would be abolished from 2018, and the £150 standard rate halved.
The economy and standard rates of £13 and £26 on short-haul flights would also be frozen.
Although the £145m proposal is not the same as the SNP manifesto pledge to cut APD by 50 per cent for all passengers, it offers a good basis for a future deal.
Until now, the SNP has not had enough votes at Holyrood to cut APD.
The Scottish Government last night called the idea “a move in the right direction”.
The Tories, who previously said an APD cut was unaffordable, justified the U-turn by saying it would help Scotland’s economy “go global” in light of Brexit, establishing new connections with countries such as the USA and China.
However other parties said the plan made a mockery of Ruth Davidson’s election promise to offer a “strong opposition” to the Nationalists.
They also pointed out the Scottish Government’s consultation on APD found significant opposition to cutting it in case it damaged the environment.
Tory economy spokesman Murdo Fraser said: “APD is one of the new powers of the Scottish Parliament. As we prepare for Brexit, it is more important than ever to use these powers to go global, so we can create new jobs, deliver more opportunities, and build a stronger economy.
“Abolishing APD for long-haul flights has the potential to do just that.
“It makes thing more convenient for travellers, helps with our carbon footprint by reducing the number of connecting flights, and will boost tourism and trade.
“We now look forward to a constructive dialogue with the Scottish Government to deliver a real economic boon for our country.”
Labour MSP Neil Bibby said: "This Brexit-inspired U-turn makes a mockery of Ruth Davidson's claims to be a strong opposition barely six months after the Scottish Parliament elections.
"Cutting APD won't make Scotland any fairer or any greener."
Green MSP John Finnie MSP added: “The Tories continue to have their heads in the clouds, dreaming up new ways to give tax cuts to the richest and to big businesses. If we are to meet our climate change objectives it’s inconceivable we can do that while scrapping APD.”
Scottish LibDem leader Willie Rennie said the Tories had "right-turned again - they are walking away from the environment."
However the prospect of an SNP-Tory deal on APD was welcomed by the air industry.
The Board of Airline Representatives in the UK, which represents 70 airlines, said Scotland had "taken the lead on dismantling this unpopular and regressive tax".
Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, said: “The two parties should use this announcement as a starting point for discussions so reductions can take place in full, in 2018.”
Edinburgh Airport boss Gordon Dewar said: “The greatest volume of our passengers fly to and from Europe - and it is a reduction of the tax on these European destinations that will deliver jobs and economic prosperity here in Scotland.”
AGS Airports Limited, which owns Aberdeen International and Glasgow Airports, said: “We have a very real opportunity to send a message that Scotland remains open for business.”
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